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166 "Fairly well. He is getting old, you know."

"When you see him next, give him our regards."

"I will," answered Dan, and then he motioned the Rovers to seats and sank down on the edge of the bed with something of a sigh. In spite of his success as a commercial traveler Dan could not help but think of his own past and of his father's past. How his father might have prospered, even as the Rovers had prospered, had he followed the path of fairness and honor! He had reformed now, but this reform had come too late in life to enable him to make another start in the business world. Dan was supporting him, and father and son were glad enough to have the Rovers drop their many just causes of complaint against them.

"I can tell you I was much surprised to see Josiah Crabtree," said Dan, after a pause. "I ask him how he happened to be out of prison, and he said he was let go because of his good behavior."

"That would make me laugh," interrupted Tom. "Think of old Crabtree on his good behavior!"

"He said be had been following me up for nearly a week," pursued Dan, and then he paused and his face grew red.

"Following you up?" cried Sam. "What for?"